{"id":40,"date":"2026-10-28T21:47:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T21:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/?page_id=40"},"modified":"2026-10-28T22:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T22:05:44","slug":"gallery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/?page_id=40","title":{"rendered":"Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.sp-gallery-intro{max-width:740px;font-size:19px}.sp-carousel{margin:40px 0 90px}.sp-slides{display:flex;overflow-x:auto;scroll-snap-type:x mandatory;scroll-behavior:smooth;overscroll-behavior-x:contain;background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--line);scrollbar-width:thin;position:relative}.sp-slide{flex:0 0 100%;min-width:0;scroll-snap-align:start;padding:clamp(15px,3vw,40px);margin:0;box-sizing:border-box}.sp-slide img{display:block;width:100%;height:clamp(320px,52vw,590px);object-fit:contain}.sp-slide figcaption{border-top:1px solid #e6e1d8;margin-top:25px;padding-top:15px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;align-items:center;font-size:17px}.sp-slide figcaption small{font:10px Arial,sans-serif;letter-spacing:1px;color:#68695f}.sp-gallery-controls{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:15px;flex-wrap:wrap;padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}.sp-gallery-controls button{background:transparent;border:1px solid #b5afa2;color:var(--ink);font:12px\/1.5 Arial,sans-serif;padding:12px 18px;cursor:pointer}.sp-gallery-controls button:hover{background:#e8e3d8}.sp-gallery-controls [aria-current=true]{background:var(--ink);color:var(--paper);border-color:var(--ink)}.sp-gallery-controls button:focus-visible,.sp-slides:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--red);outline-offset:3px}.sp-gallery-dots{display:flex;gap:6px;flex-wrap:wrap}.sp-gallery-dots button{padding:7px 10px;min-width:34px}.sp-slide-count{font:12px Arial,sans-serif;white-space:nowrap}.sp-gallery-help{font:12px\/1.7 Arial,sans-serif;color:#68695f}.sp-lineage{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:clamp(30px,7vw,90px);align-items:flex-start;border-top:1px solid var(--line);padding-top:70px;margin-top:30px}.sp-lineage figure{flex:1 1 280px;max-width:420px;margin:0}.sp-lineage img{display:block;width:100%;height:auto}.sp-lineage figcaption{font:12px\/1.7 Arial,sans-serif;margin-top:15px;color:#68695f}.sp-lineage-copy{flex:1 1 330px;max-width:650px}.sp-lineage-copy h2{margin-top:15px}.sp-lineage-copy h3{font-size:29px;margin:40px 0 15px}.sp-lineage-chain{padding:20px 0;border-block:1px solid var(--line);font:13px\/2 Arial,sans-serif}.sp-lineage blockquote{margin:30px 0;font-size:25px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--red)}.sp-history-sources{font:12px\/1.8 Arial,sans-serif;padding-top:10px}.sp-gallery-cta{margin-top:70px;padding-top:35px;border-top:1px solid var(--line)}@media(max-width:600px){.sp-slide img{height:390px}.sp-slide figcaption{align-items:flex-start;flex-direction:column}.sp-gallery-dots{order:3;width:100%;justify-content:center}.sp-carousel{margin-bottom:55px}.sp-gallery-controls button{padding:10px 12px}.sp-lineage{padding-top:45px}.sp-lineage figure{max-width:100%}.sp-lineage-chain{font-size:12px}}@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.sp-slides{scroll-behavior:auto}}\n<\/style>\n<p class=\"eyebrow\">Paintings &amp; the lineage<\/p><p class=\"sp-gallery-intro\">A selection of past serpent paintings: solitary, entwined, reaching between heaven and earth. Each work takes its own form in the movement of the brush.<\/p><section class=\"sp-carousel\" id=\"serpent-painting-gallery\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Past serpent paintings\"><p class=\"sp-gallery-help\" id=\"sp-gallery-help\">Use the arrows, choose a number, or swipe to explore twelve past paintings. These are archive examples; your commission will be a new original. All paintings are on flat white paper; photographed tones vary with lighting.<\/p><div class=\"sp-slides\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Painting slides\" aria-describedby=\"sp-gallery-help\"><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 12: Single-stroke serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/serpent.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Single-stroke serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/serpent.jpeg\" alt=\"A winding horizontal serpent with red seals.\" loading=\"eager\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Single-stroke serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 12: Coiled serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coiled-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Coiled serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/coiled-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"An ink serpent with a compact coiling body and red seals.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Coiled serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 12: Horizontal serpent study\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/horizontal-serpent-study.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Horizontal serpent study\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/horizontal-serpent-study.jpg\" alt=\"A horizontal serpent painting from Dorje Kirsten\u2019s archive.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Horizontal serpent study<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 12: Heaven and earth\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/heaven-earth.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Heaven and earth\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/heaven-earth.jpg\" alt=\"A long vertical serpent composition.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Heaven and earth<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 12: Golden serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/golden-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Golden serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/golden-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"A vertical serpent from the painting archive.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Golden serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 12: Serpent of the depths\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/serpent-of-the-depths.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Serpent of the depths\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/serpent-of-the-depths.jpg\" alt=\"An elongated serpent with red and black ink, in a vertical composition.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Serpent of the depths<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 12: Long serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/long-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Long serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/long-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"A tall, open sequence of ink coils.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Long serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 12: Serpent study\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/vivid-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Serpent study\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/themes\/serpent-painting\/archive\/vivid-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"An upright ink serpent turning through open space.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Serpent study<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 12: Flowing serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flowing-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Flowing serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flowing-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"An ink serpent flowing through broad, interwoven coils, with red eyes and seals.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Flowing serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 12: Winter serpent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/winter-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Winter serpent\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/winter-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"A dark and pale ink serpent with red eyes and a Winter Serpent inscription.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Winter serpent<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"11 of 12: Twin serpents dancing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/twin-serpents-dancing-large.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Twin serpents dancing\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/twin-serpents-dancing-large.jpg\" alt=\"Two serpents meeting in a flowing composition.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Twin serpents dancing<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"sp-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"12 of 12: Two serpents discussing gold\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/serpents-discussing-gold-large.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Open full image: Two serpents discussing gold\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/serpents-discussing-gold-large.jpg\" alt=\"Two ink serpents beneath a red circle.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption><span>Two serpents discussing gold<\/span><small>DORJE KIRSTEN \u00b7 ARCHIVE<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"sp-gallery-controls\"><button type=\"button\" data-sp-prev aria-label=\"Previous painting\">\u2190 Previous<\/button><span class=\"sp-slide-count\" role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">1 of 12<\/span><button type=\"button\" data-sp-next aria-label=\"Next painting\">Next \u2192<\/button><div class=\"sp-gallery-dots\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Choose a painting\"><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"0\" aria-label=\"Show painting 1: Single-stroke serpent\" aria-current=\"true\">01<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"1\" aria-label=\"Show painting 2: Coiled serpent\">02<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"2\" aria-label=\"Show painting 3: Horizontal serpent study\">03<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"3\" aria-label=\"Show painting 4: Heaven and earth\">04<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"4\" aria-label=\"Show painting 5: Golden serpent\">05<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"5\" aria-label=\"Show painting 6: Serpent of the depths\">06<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"6\" aria-label=\"Show painting 7: Long serpent\">07<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"7\" aria-label=\"Show painting 8: Serpent study\">08<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"8\" aria-label=\"Show painting 9: Flowing serpent\">09<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"9\" aria-label=\"Show painting 10: Winter serpent\">10<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"10\" aria-label=\"Show painting 11: Twin serpents dancing\">11<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-sp-slide=\"11\" aria-label=\"Show painting 12: Two serpents discussing gold\">12<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"sp-lineage\" id=\"khendo-khani\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/khendo-khani.jpg\" alt=\"Kendo Kano seated outdoors in Yamabushi robes and a broad hat, with brushes and painting materials before him.\" width=\"900\" height=\"1345\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption>Kendo Kano, the Yamabushi priest who taught this serpent painting tradition to Richard Daiensai Kirsten.<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"sp-lineage-copy\"><p class=\"eyebrow\">Kendo Kano &amp; the painting lineage<\/p><h2>A tradition<br>passed by hand.<\/h2><p>Kendo Kano was the Yamabushi priest who passed this particular serpent painting tradition to my grandfather, Richard Daiensai Kirsten. My grandfather, in turn, passed it to me.<\/p><p class=\"sp-lineage-chain\">Kendo Kano \u2192 Richard Daiensai Kirsten \u2192 Dorje Kirsten<\/p><blockquote>\u201cI am not a Yamabushi priest. I carry forward the painting tradition that my grandfather received from Kendo Kano.\u201d<\/blockquote><p>\u2014 Dorje Kirsten<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/?page_id=43\">Read Richard Daiensai Kirsten\u2019s complete account, \u201cMaster Dragon Painter of Japan\u201d \u2197<\/a><\/p><h3>The Yamabushi in Japanese life<\/h3><p>Yamabushi are mountain ascetics associated with Shugend\u014d, a Japanese religious tradition shaped by sacred-mountain worship, esoteric Buddhism, and traditions of the kami. Mountain pilgrimages and rigorous ascetic training have long been central to their practice.<\/p><p>Their historical role also extended into everyday community life. Yamabushi guided pilgrims, linked villages with sacred mountains, and performed prayers, purification, and protective and healing rites. Many lived in villages, where their ritual work served local people. Shugend\u014d was suppressed during the Meiji period and re-emerged in organized forms after the Second World War; its traditions continue today.<\/p><p class=\"sp-history-sources\">Historical background: <a href=\"https:\/\/d-museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp\/eos\/detail\/?id=9347\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kokugakuin University, Encyclopedia of Shinto<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/jpsearch.go.jp\/en\/gallery\/ndl-bN24o9MgEjUOY6A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Japan Search, \u201cShugendo\u201d<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/section><section class=\"sp-lineage-art\" style=\"margin-top:70px;padding-top:40px;border-top:1px solid var(--line)\"><p class=\"eyebrow\">Works from the lineage<\/p><h2>From teacher<br>to student.<\/h2><p>Historical works from the family archive, shown with their artists\u2019 names.<\/p><div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:35px\"><figure style=\"flex:1 1 300px;margin:0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kendo-kano-dragon.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/kendo-kano-dragon.jpg\" alt=\"Dragon painting by Kendo Kano, from the Kirsten family archive\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px;object-fit:contain;background:white\"><\/a><figcaption style=\"padding-top:15px\">Kendo Kano \u00b7 Dragon painting<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure style=\"flex:1 1 300px;margin:0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/richard-daiensai-serpent.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/richard-daiensai-serpent.jpg\" alt=\"Serpent painting by Richard Daiensai Kirsten, from the family archive\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px;object-fit:contain;background:white\"><\/a><figcaption style=\"padding-top:15px\">Richard Daiensai Kirsten \u00b7 Serpent painting<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/section><div class=\"sp-gallery-cta\"><p>Commission a new serpent painting in a vertical or horizontal composition, made for your space.<\/p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/#collect\">Commission your serpent \u2197<\/a><\/div><script>\n(function(){\n const root=document.getElementById('serpent-painting-gallery');\n if(!root)return;\n const track=root.querySelector('.sp-slides');\n const slides=Array.from(track.querySelectorAll('.sp-slide'));\n const count=root.querySelector('.sp-slide-count');\n const dots=Array.from(root.querySelectorAll('[data-sp-slide]'));\n let current=0;\n function report(){\n  current=Math.max(0,Math.min(slides.length-1,Math.round(track.scrollLeft\/track.clientWidth)));\n  count.textContent=(current+1)+' of '+slides.length;\n  dots.forEach((dot,i)=>{if(i===current)dot.setAttribute('aria-current','true');else dot.removeAttribute('aria-current');});\n }\n function go(index){\n  const next=(index+slides.length)%slides.length;\n  const reduced=window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;\n  track.scrollTo({left:next*track.clientWidth,behavior:reduced?'auto':'smooth'});\n }\n root.querySelector('[data-sp-prev]').addEventListener('click',()=>go(current-1));\n root.querySelector('[data-sp-next]').addEventListener('click',()=>go(current+1));\n dots.forEach((dot,i)=>dot.addEventListener('click',()=>go(i)));\n track.addEventListener('scroll',report,{passive:true});\n track.addEventListener('keydown',event=>{\n  if(event.key==='ArrowRight'){event.preventDefault();go(current+1);}\n  else if(event.key==='ArrowLeft'){event.preventDefault();go(current-1);}\n  else if(event.key==='Home'){event.preventDefault();go(0);}\n  else if(event.key==='End'){event.preventDefault();go(slides.length-1);}\n });\n let lastWidth=track.clientWidth;\n new ResizeObserver(()=>{const width=track.clientWidth;if(width!==lastWidth){lastWidth=width;track.scrollTo({left:current*width,behavior:'instant'});report();}}).observe(track);\n report();\n})();\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paintings &amp; the lineage A selection of past serpent paintings: solitary, entwined, reaching between heaven and earth. Each work takes its own form in the movement of the brush. Use the arrows, choose a number, or swipe to explore twelve past paintings. These are archive examples; your commission will be a new original. All paintings [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-40","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59,"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/40\/revisions\/59"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serpentpainting.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}